He will be one of the quarterbacks for the Muskegon All-Star Classic that will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Mona Shores.

He also has been selected to play in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association all-star game scheduled for Thursday, July 10, at Comerica Park.

Chad Large (MLive.com file)

And that will be his swan song as Large has decided not to pursue sports in college. He plans to attend Grand Valley State University and eventually graduate school and study psychology.

It was a tough decision, but Large is putting academics over athletics.

“It was months on end debating whether to go or not, recruit trips after recruit trips,” Large said after Tuesday’s baseball game. “It’s one you have to make, but you don’t want to have to make that decision. But when it comes down to it, more than likely, you’re not going to make (sports) your profession. In the end, you’ve got to get a job and that’s the most important part to me.”

He was a standout in football and also just received second-team all-state honors as an infielder after hitting .478 for the Orioles this spring, so opportunities to play sports in college were available.

“I had a lot of schools talking to me. It’s not in my best interest as a student to be playing because of the time commitment of five hours, six hours, seven hours a day,” Large said. “I’ve got to maintain my grades and do well in school.”

That’s why Large is soaking everything in this week. He spent three hours at football practice Tuesday, then raced over to Marsh Field for baseball.

He had a single and scored a run in two at-bats and got the chance to pitch to two batters in the top of the seventh for the Red Hawks, who dropped a 9-4 decision.

“It’s an absolute blast. You can’t beat playing with all the guys you play with all season long,” Large said. “To get together with a special group of guys, it’s a blast. We all know each other and all love playing against each other. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Large couldn’t let that thought go by without a little fun.

When called on to pitch in relief, Large sprinted in and did a pop-up slide near the mound.

Chad Large, shown in a game last year against Fruitport, will help with the quarterback duties for Team Dynasty in Saturday's Muskegon All-Star Classic. (Ken Stevens | MLive.com file)

“It was my catcher’s idea. He said I should give a re-impersonation of Phil Coke, so I went out there and did the best I could with what I had to work with,” Large said. “It was a blast. It was funny.”

Large is looking forward to the chance to play at Comerica Park for the statewide all-star game. His brother, John, also played in the game.

“This puts the icing on the cake, so to speak, for the end of my high school career as an athlete. This, with all these guys, is an honor, a flat honor,” Large said. “(Comerica's) the last hurrah. My brother, when he was here eight years ago, got to play in that game and since that day I made it my goal to do whatever I could to make that game. I got lucky and got invited to play and I’m so excited. I can’t wait. I’m flattered to even be invited.”

Mark Opfermann covers sports for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at mopferma@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.